Investing in humanity: Meeting the needs of vulnerable people in 2016

As conflicts continued in 2015, the total number of people living in forced displacement reached another record high of over 65 million. In the same year, disasters caused by natural hazards affected an estimated 89 million people. The number of people estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance has increased: in May 2016 the UN OCHA’s Global Humanitarian Overview estimated the figure at over 130 million – five times greater than a decade ago. The gap between requirements and contributions to UN-coordinated appeals has also grown, increasing from 39% in 2014 to 45% in 2015.

The event will show where funding has been invested to date – both inside and outside the UN-coordinated appeals – as well as where the resources come from and how they are channelled to meet humanitarian needs. An accurate picture of both the needs of people affected by crises and the available funding is critical in order to enable decision-makers to allocate valuable resources in a timely and effective manner. The mobilisation of resources from a more diverse range of actors – including the private sector – is imperative given the current scale and complexity of humanitarian needs.

Chair   

• Jeremy M. Konyndyk, Director, Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, USAID

Presenters

• Stephen O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
• Charlotte Lattimer, Senior Policy & Engagement Advisor, Development Initiatives

Respondents

• E. Sheikha Alya Ahmed Bin Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative, Qatar
• Joshua Bennett, Executive Vice President, Show of Force
• Jessica Shannon, Partner/Principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers